Parrots are popular and intelligent pets, with a wide number of species to choose from. There are many sizes, colours and types to choose from including the smaller, well known budgerigars
and cockatiels, up to the larger cockatoos and macaws. The most common pet parrot is the African Grey which is known for being an excellent mimic.

Parrot Problems

Whilst they make great pets, parrots also take up a lot of time - they need a good diet, lots of toys, tree branches for perches and access to UV light if housed indoors. Exercise is also
critically important, aviary birds will be able to fly freely but caged birds must be allowed time out of their cage each day for
their health and welfare. Parrots are also highly social and can suffer if left without company (human or bird).

We are very happy to advise you on the correct housing, diet and exercise requirements of your pet parrot and can provide you with information sheets should you require them. Requirements can vary
greatly depending on the species you have chosen to keep. We have a range of suitable diets stocked to prevent health problems in your parrot.

Common problems we see in parrots are often associated with incorrect housing or diet, such things include:

Obesity

Kidney and liver disease

Vitamin A, Vitamin D or calcium deficiency and metabolic disease

Behavioural problems

Feather plucking

Overgrown beaks and claws

Toxins (lead, zinc, teflon)

Injuries

Gout

Egg-binding

Parasites, bacterial, fungal or viral infections

Microchips

We offer a parrot microchipping service at our practice. A microchip is a small glass chip roughly the size of a grain of rice. Every chip has a unique code associated with it that is registered
to your pet on a national database. The chip is scanned with a special machine to identify its code and this can be used to find the registered owner's name and address. This is invaluable to reunite
you if your pet is ever lost, injured or stolen. Unlike a leg ring, your pet cannot lose its microchip.

Your parrot would have a brief general anaesthetic to allow us to implant the chip painlessly into their breast muscle. Once the chip is implanted, we will ask for your details to be uploaded onto
the database, however, if you change address or ownership of the pet, it is ESSENTIAL that you inform the database
holders.

Parrot Consultations

During consultations, questions we will ask about your bird include:

Parasites:

Has your bird ever been tested, or treated for worms or other parasites?

What did you use?

How much did you use?

How long did you use it for?

Housing:

Is your bird kept in a cage, aviary, or mews?

If using a cage, do you take the bird and cage outside?

When and how long for?

What is it made from?

What is the size of the cage, aviary or mews?

What do you have on the floor of the cage?

Do you have any toys in the cage?

What are they made from?

Exercise:

Do you let your bird out of its cage?

Which rooms do they have access to?

What do they play with or chew?

Food:

What do you feed your bird?

How much?

If using a mix, how much of each component is there? (As a percentage)

Do you use a calcium supplement?

Which one?

How often and how do you give it?

How much do you give?

When did you start giving this?

Have you noticed that your bird has been drinking a lot?

If possible, please bring a urine sample with you.

If your bird is female:

Has you bird being laying eggs?

How many?

For how long?

The above list does not indicate approval of these methods nor disapproval of things not included in the list, this depends very much on which species you are keeping. Our practice
DOES NOT sell any of the above equipment and DOES NOT have any
association with pet shops who may sell it. Advice and opinions are given on a case by case basis, we advise people to do some research themselves.

Diagnostic Testing in Birds

Very often we need to take x-rays and blood tests of birds. There are many reasons why this may be necessary
and you can fine out more information on our laboratory testing page. All these costs add up and we advise clients to look at insurance for their
birds. Look at exotic direct: https://www.exoticdirect.co.uk

Emergencies

Contact the practice directly if you require an emergency appointment during opening hours. If you need help urgently out of hours, please refer to the emergency veterinary cover list. Our out of
hours cover for birds is provided by http://avianveterinaryservices.co.uk/services.html